Public Statements

Boehner Column: Why is the White House Still Stonewalling Delphi Retirees?

Statement

Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) released the following column discussing the unequal treatment of non-union Delphi salaried retirees:

"The IRS remains under fire today for singling out conservative groups and the president's political opponents, and rightly so. Americans should never be targeted by their government for partisan purposes.

"The Obama administration was quick to suggest this was the work of two 'rogue agents' in the Cincinnati office, but we now know the harassment of conservative donors began in Washington. Many other questions, like 'how did it start?' 'how far up in the administration did it go?' and 'why did the IRS repeatedly mislead Congress and the American people?' still require answers.

"In the House of Representatives, we take our responsibility to deliver accountability to the American people seriously. So, as we press forward with our jobs agenda, we'll continue working to get to the bottom of the IRS abuse, Benghazi and another issue that's critically important to many in the Miami Valley: the Delphi pension scandal.

"As you may know, thousands of non-union workers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and elsewhere saw their retirement savings slashed during the 2009 auto bailout. While the president's union allies were protected, these non-union workers had their pensions cut by as much as 70 percent.

"Working closely with the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association, members of the Ohio Delegation and I have pressed the Obama administration to turn over information regarding the decision to top off union employee pensions while terminating non-union pensions. Still, the administration continues to stonewall.

"At a June 10 field hearing conducted by Rep. Mike Turner (R-Dayton) and Rep. John Mica (R-FL) at Sinclair Community College, former Delphi workers talked about how this pension scandal has impacted them and their families.

"'After the dust of the frantic 44-day GM bankruptcy had settled, I found myself with zero health care and -- in my case -- a 40 percent pension reduction,' 39-year GM and Delphi veteran Tom Rose said. 'My carefully planned retirement was blown apart at a point in my life when recovery time and opportunities were limited.'

"Others renewed calls for the administration to fully explain its involvement.

"'For four years now we have been trying to gain access to records from the PBGC and Treasury ,' former Delphi Senior Engineer and Vice-Chair of the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association Bruce Gump said. 'Yet in spite of promises from everybody from the president on down we have been fought every step of the way.'

"The last Delphi worker to testify -- former engineer Paul Dobosz -- noted the similarities between the IRS and pension scandals.

"'Delphi salaried retirees aren't asking for a handout, we are just asking our government to behave in an open and honest manner ,' retired GM and Delphi engineer Paul Dobosz said. "This issue may not garner the widespread attention and front page headlines the IRS scandals have generated, but it represents an equally blatant abuse of political power.'

"As the House continues its work to hold the administration accountable, some on The Left have been quick to accuse Republicans of overreaching on these scandals. But our pursuit of the truth isn't about 'gotcha games.'

"As many Delphi non-union workers will attest, it's about economic freedom, jobs, and the very real implications of an out-of-control government picking winners and losers -- and we aren't about to let up."

Boehner represents Ohio's 8th District, which includes all of Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami, and Preble counties, and the southernmost part of Mercer County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.